Martins again...

A friend came over tonight and brought her mom-in-love to watch the Martins go to bed. She took fabulous pictures! I want a new camera (like hers!)... My parents came out to watch the birds go to bed as well. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of a warm southern night with the Martins chirping away. They continue chirping the entire time they are jostling for a spot on the crossbars. Suddenly...it was quiet! There were a few more chirps, then total quiet descended. My dad said they'd do that. He's loved watching those birds since 1972 when we moved into the house my parents had built. That's 39 years...wow! Time flies. My parents have been married 52 years and lived in the same house 39 of those years. Time marches on...and I thank the Lord God Almighty for every year I have my parents. I can't believe my hubby will be 50 in 21 days! My mom will be 70 in 32 days. It's just a reminder to cherish the people you love, shower them with affection and kindness each and every day!

Busy!

The last few days have been super busy. That's the life of a teacher...August and May are the busiest months! The other months are pretty filled, too. My darling hubby spiffed up shelves in my classroom with his handy paintbrush! :) He spent about six hours with me at school on Tuesday, I think. There is still much to be done, but I am feeling pretty confident that it will all be completed on time and wonderfully! We've already made our "Welcome" bags (thanks for the idea, Becca!) I've gotta get the kisses ready for the first day... along with lessons and forms completed. School just eats up my days the last week of July and the entire month of August. I am sooo thankful my hubby and son are understanding men!

Our Martin gourds are filled to overflowing. I have never seen so many birds in one place at one time before in my entire 48 years! We have 96 gourds on four separate poles. The crossbars have been full of birds this past couple of weeks. Hubby & Dad think there are at least five to six hundred birds out there each night. It's an awesome and amazing sight to see them all coming in to land. They begin just as dots in the sky, coming down and circling repeatedly until every bird has jostled around to find a spot to roost for the night. Amazing! Check out this...the bird flew over just as I snapped a picture. I planned to try to count the birds in the photo. This is just a God thing...the bird was just there! 

This doesn't look real, does it?

Summertime!

Every summer seems to fly by faster than the ones preceding. I have all these plans to complete and I just veg. My teacher friend's hubby says she is "decompressing." Decompressing...now that's a nice word. That's what I've done this summer. I am relaxed and excited about beginning the new year. I think I'd have enjoyed decompressing more if I'd gotten up each day and completed at least three to five chores on my list. That's my plan for the upcoming school year...list, prioritize, and complete at least five to seven chores each day. The summer calls for a more relaxed attitude, hence only three to five chores then.

Today...

Tracey called and asked if I'll play piano for her church tomorrow. Their pianist is on vacation. Of course I am. For whom much is given, much is required. I will enjoy doing this. It takes me back to our youth, when Tracey and I would sit at the piano for  hours...me playing and both of us singing. We'd sing a hymn Tracey liked, then one I liked...going back and forth like that until it was time to go skating.

Rodney got out a hymnal yesterday and was going to sing on the porch. So, today I got the old church hymnal from the closet and the one he'd been looking at, went out on the porch, and we sang. :) He didn't want to sing some of the songs and kept telling me I don't have to sing tomorrow, just play. Ha! He doesn't realize how excited Tracey is about this. I'll be singing, rest assured!

I enjoyed singing on the porch with Rodney. I hope we do it more. I've gotta get a video of him singing!